Newt Gingrich has pulled to within ten points of Mitt Romney in the crucial
early voting state of New Hampshire, according to a new poll.

The figures are the latest indication that the resurgent former House speaker is beginning to close the gap in a state where Mr Romney has been predicted an overwhelming victory.

While the former Massachusetts governor remains the strong favourite in New Hampshire the poll will cause some consternation in his camp, which fears that it be could a sign conservatives are rallying around Mr Gingrich in a bid to keep Mr Romney from becoming the Republican nominee.

Mr Gingrich is also likely to benefit from the implosion of Herman Cain's candidacy, after the pizza magnate was accused of having a 13-year affair with a woman from Georgia. Earlier today Mr Cain said he was carrying out a "reassessment" of his crisis-hit campaign.

The New Hampshire poll from Rasmussen Reports put Mr Romney at 34 points, with Mr Gingrich in second at 24 and Texas Congressman Ron Paul on 14.

The poll also offered some hope to former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, who reached double digits for the first time with 11 points. Mr Huntsman has staked his entire candidacy on New Hampshire, admitting that his relatively moderate views made it impossible for him to win in Iowa.

Mr Gingrich's hopes of a pulling off an upset in a state where Mr Romney owns a holiday home and has campaigned extensively were further boosted over the weekend by the endorsement of New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper.

The influential state-wide paper backed Mr Gingrich in a traditional front page editorial saying he had "the experience, the leadership qualities and the vision to lead this country in these trying times".

The staunchly conservative paper also took a veiled swipe at Mr Romney, saying: "We don't back candidates based on popularity polls or big-shot backers. We look for conservatives of courage and conviction who are independent-minded, grounded in their core beliefs about this nation and its people, and best equipped for the job."

Mr Gingrich is leading in the national polls by between one and four points. He has previously said that he believed the race for the Republican nomination was likely to come down to a two-man contest between him and Mr Romney.